First Draft: Minnesota's Hageman could be 'freak of nature' on the D-Line

Green Bay — The Green Bay Packers’ defensive line will probably look much different in 2014 than it did in 2013. Who stays and who goes will be a fluid situation this off-season.

B.J. Raji, Ryan Pickett, C.J. Wilson and Johnny Jolly are all free agents. Datone Jones and Josh Boydcould see expanded roles in Year 2. Maybe Jerel Worthy is a different player one full year removed from his torn ACL. One sure thing? Mike Daniels as an interior rusher.

So after taking defensive linemen in the first two rounds in back-to-back years, would the Packers do it again?

That depends on what happens with the likes of Raji and Pickett.

If the Packers do then Minnesota’s Ra’Shede Hageman is one option as a 3-4 defensive end. Seems like we were just talking about a big man with athleticism — DeMar DeRozan's old basketball pal in Compton — but Hageman does have a similar background.

Last fall, the defensive tackle finished with 38 tackles (13 for loss) and two sacks. He had six sacks as a junior. And during Senior Bowl week, Hageman was one of the more dominant defensive linemen in 1-on-1 drills. Draft analyst Rob Rang at CBSSports.com currently has the 6-foot-6, 318-pounder going to Green Bay at No. 21 overall.

At the NFL scouting combine, Hageman might put on a show.

“He’s a very aggressive human being,” Gophers defensive line coach Jeff Phelps said. “He’s really a freak of nature. He’s every bit 6-6, 300-plus pounds and really can run like a deer. He does some things that are unbelievable and I think he’ll really wow some people at the combine.”

Phelps adds that Hageman has a 36-inch vertical jump and can effectively pull off a 360-dunk on the basketball court.

Not an easy feat for men this side of 300 pounds.

Hageman was originally a tight end at Minnesota. Recruiting expert Tom Lemming pegged Hageman the No. 1 tight end in the nation out of high school. A hot recruit in basketball as well, Hageman averaged 12 points per game as a junior. Phelps says this background helps in the pit.

“You see him when he’s playing, when he gets his pads low and loads his hands up, he can really do some great things,” said Phelps, who also coached San Diego Chargers’ linebacker Larry English at Northern Illinois. “He flies around and gives us a chance to be successful on the field.”

Hageman will likely appeal to both 4-3 and 3-4 teams. At Minnesota, he flexed outside to defensive end in certain situations. On the edge, Phelps tried to get Hageman one on one with tackles.

There remains a rawness to his game. Hageman remains relatively new to the position, playing defensive tackle only three years.

Hageman was also arrested in 2012 for misdemeanor disorderly conduct. Phelps doesn't see any cause for concern.

“He had that wall built up and not too many people are going to get into that circle because, let’s face it, from coaches to different people coming in and out of his life, some wouldn’t blame him," Phelps said. "With Coach (Jerry) Kill and our staff, we showed him that, ‘Hey, you can trust people. You can let people in there.’ He’s a different guy. He comes in, says 'hello' to people. Very cordial.

"And just to see the transformation that he’s made and really becoming a great young man because that’s who he is. He’s a good person deep down inside.”

On the field, he’s one of the few big men who can really move. Some pan out, some don’t. The Packers are banking on Datone Jones being a difference-maker.

What happens in March will likely dictate future plans on the D-Line.

Said Phelps, “Whoever decides to make a move on (Hageman), I think they’re going to get a great player.”

A glance at a few other defensive linemen heading to Indianapolis…

DE Jadeveon Clowney (South Carolina): Teams may be concerned about Clowney’s drowsy junior season (three sacks). His effort was questioned all fall. But none of that seems to dull Clowney’s draft stock. They don’t around this big, this fast.

DT Louis Nix (Notre Dame): Massive, 340-pound run stuffer. Was central to defense’s rise in 2012 (50 tackles, 7.5 for loss). Not as dominant in 2013 (27 tackles, two for loss).

DT Aaron Donald (Pittsburgh): Another Senior Bowl standout. Shorter than his peers at 6-1, but was a fighter in 1-on-1’s. Intriguing interior pass rusher. Finished with 28.5 tackles for loss last season.

DT: Timmy Jernigan (Florida State): A second-team All-American. Had 63 tackles, 4.5 sacks and played key role in FSU’s title win over Auburn with season-high nine stops. Quick for his size.

DE Kony Ealy (Missouri): Finished with nine sacks. Explosive and closes fast. Uses his hands well, can bat down passes. Played on a deep, talented defensive line.